AUSTRALIANS AT WAR

THE NEW AMERICAN CENTURY is a compelling factual history of neoconservatism and its influence on US Foreign Policy in the Middle East during the first decade of the twenty-first century. Click on image above for details.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

ABBOTT’S SECRET WAR

Last month I
suggested that Australian SAS forces were already in Iraq. I suggested this
based on the assertion by an American neoconservative writers indiscreet wording
in an article that said, “Western commandos such as Seal Team Six, Delta Force
and the British and Australian SAS should also expand operations to
carry out the kind of intelligence-driven leadership targeting that was an
important part of the 2007-2008 surge”. The use of the word ‘expand’ and the
tone of the narrative hinted that Australian SAS, together with other Special
Forces, were already deployed to the region.

Today, Mark Kenny, the Sydney Morning Herald’schief
political editor writes: “While a contingent of SAS commandos departed for
the Middle East on Monday, Fairfax Media understands several SAS commandos have
been in the region on standby for weeks.” What ‘standby’ means is anybody’s
guess but I can’t imagine for one moment that they’ve been idle but, regardless
of whatever they have been up to, their presence earlier on and long before any
formal announcements made by Abbott regarding Australia’s involvement in the
region indicates that Abbott had committed Australia to enjoin the US long
before there was any debate on the matter.

Kenny also goes on to write: “Mr Abbott said the fact that the
legitimate government of Iraq had invited Australia to assist in defeating an
insurgent force, made Australia's participation in the air and ground war legal”.
While Abbott concedes there are legal problems associated with operating with
allies inside Syria, he doesn’t rule entirely rule out the possibility saying, “I’m
not ruling some action is Syria but it is not part of the government current
intentions because, as I’ve said quite frequently over the past few days, the
legalities of operations in Syria are quite different from the legalities of
operations in Iraq”. However, when he was telling Australians and the
parliament a few weeks ago that he’d made no decision about Australia becoming
involved in Iraq, it’s obvious that he clearly had already decided what Australia’s
role would be in Iraq. Why, then should he be believed when he says that going
into Syria is not part of the Australian government’s intentions? And can we
not question weather or not Australian SAS forces aren’t already in Syria as
well as Iraq?

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About Me

is an Aeronautical Engineer, Historian and general carer of what goes on in the world.
Apart from an earlier career in engineering, Lataan also has a First Class Honours BA degree in History and a PhD in International Politics.
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